I was blown away by the popularity of the video. I first watched it early Tuesday morning when it only had 309 views..now it has over 10 million..
Honestly I thought it would be a video that The Christian Left would pass around..but not be popular in the "mainstream Christian Culture"
I was wrong..
I have seen this video on a large majority of my friends Facebook, who would describe themselves as "Christian"
This is very encouraging!
Although we might differ on our theology..we all see what the "Church" has become..and we are sick of it!
Religious hypocrisy has ruled the church for too long!..and I am hoping and praying that my generation will put an end to this discussing misrepresentation of Christianity that are prevalent today.
It seems that the "conservatives" "milldle-of-the-road" and "liberals" are all on the same page when it comes to the outrage felt by those who feel like our faith has been hijacked by politicians..business men and women..those just wanting to get an "edge-up" by professing a faith..by nature of their actions they do not follow.
My generation is sick of those who degrade others via their "Christian faith"..making others feel "less than"
And we are sick of the most loving, gracious, merciful and just man to ever live to be misrepresented and used to support social, economic and personal beliefs that are contradictory to the man we call Christ.
We have a long way to go to reconcile Christ's Church..but recognizing that the religious BS that has represented "American Christianity" for the past couple decades must be ended.
My generation..the 20-somethings will be the generation that reverses the religious hypocrisy that seems to dominate our culture.
We will stop using our religion to justify our wars, our tax breaks on the rich..we will stop supporting legislation that takes away from the poor and assists only those with power and money.
My generation will go to the Gospels and live out a life of unconditional love..concern for the poor and sick around the world, We will reclaim Christianity from the selfish individuals who have hijacked our faith for personal gain.
We will show our world what it is like to truly follow Christ..
Peace & Love
hey, you seem pretty fired up about this. please remember that not all Christians think the way you do politically (in a liberal sense?), so in a sense you are doing exactly what you are condemning in this post- "hijacking the faith for personal gain."
ReplyDeleteAlso, it is Christ who will "reconcile Christ's church," and God willing He will use our generation to do that (not the other way around). I recognize that we are in need of change and that confessing our sins to each other should be practiced more often, but this seems over the edge.
Additionally, the number of views does not directly indicated all the people who agree with what was said, or are willing to act even if they do agree.
Check out this critique- http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2012/01/13/does-jesus-hate-religion-kinda-sorta-not-really/
it is very well done and is Biblically backed out that wazoo. Complete respect for each other.
Hey Andrew
ReplyDeleteI truly appreciate the critique..sometimes what I write isn't what I mean. So I'll clarify some stuff for you and other readers..but first my mistakes..
It is God who will transform "The Church"..not you or me. That is my belief..sometimes I say "me and "we" but I am 100% that it is through the Holy Spirit in which change will occur.
I recognize my liberal bias..but when I speak of politicians, businesses, ect..I'm talking about liberal moderate and conservative. I do pick on conservatives sometimes..but this post was not intended to reprimand the Republican party or conservative voters. I don't see it in this particular post..but again I'm biased..but it was not my intention.
The people I did "call out" were people who call themselves Christians..yet do very un-Christian things. Politicians on both sides who use their "faith" to get votes, but cheat on their wives..engage in corrupt business practices, ect. That's prevalent in all religions, political parties..and unfortunately prevalent in "Christian Cultures".
I LOVE my conservative Christian friends! If you're following the Gospel I LOVE you! I will never attack a conservative theology or liberal theology that differs from mine. What I will attack is any conservative moderate or liberal who uses Jesus to "get ahead" and do not follow what God revealed through our Christ.
In the campus ministry we have both been apart of..I LOVE them! Are they they more conservative than me?..Yea. But we are beside one another serving our God as we study Scripture..loving our neighbors when we tutor kids in poverty. We disagree on lots!..but they love God and love their neighbors. And I will never have a beef with that.
I hope I have cleared some stuff up.
On a side note..I've failed to keep up with your ministry plans. IF your a missionary in Africa or working a desk job..I'll be praying for you and your ministry as you help others come to Christ.
Peace & Love
Great response, I love it. I knew this was your heart, it just didn't seem to come out in the above post as much as I know it could have. And for the record, I love you too :D
ReplyDeleteI still recommend the gospel coalition critique, it is well balanced and backed up with much Scripture. So, give it a read. I feel the article brings a Biblical spine to the video's impressive expression of zeal.
Ministry plans- leaving for Zambia in exactly 10 days! I could use all the prayer I can get, and if you want to follow along just keep up with my blog. Specific requests and pictures and the like will be there.
Love you brother!
I really liked the Gospel Coalition article. The poem was a catalist to a more scholary view of scripture and church history. I always love when critiques can add to the initional message..as opposed to tearing it apart. I now have a deeper understanding of both the poem and the critique. thanks for the link!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm astonished for our love..and how God is revealing Himself in your ministry! Some day I hope to have the faith to do what you are doing. I will continually pray for your ministry, that you may revile our Christ to our brothers and sisters in Zambia.
When I think of your I always hear Matthew 5:14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden." Christ is that light! And you are the means that the world may see that all-loving light!
I love you man! God bless you!
Peace & Love